Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Rev 22:1 and following. Indeed, versets 1 to 5 complete the vision of the Holy City during the millennium. Only sinners saved by grace, men such as the converted robber, will have access to it. And what will be the occupation of its inhabitants? They will serve their Lord; they will reign with Him. But what will be more valuable to them than all kingdoms: “they will see his face…”
Usually a servant “does not know what his Master is doing.” Jesus, on the other hand, hides nothing from his servants, who have become his friends, “things that must happen soon.” Is it not strange then that we often enter so little into these wonders that concern us (1 Cor 2:6-11)? Is it not especially sad that we do not take more interest in what the Father has prepared for the glory and joy of His Son (John 14:28-31)?
For Daniel and the Jewish people, prophecy was sealed until its future fulfillment (Dn 12:8-13). For the Christian, it is no longer hidden. The whole Bible is given to him to be understood and believed. Car ce are no longer lightning and thunder and voices, characters of the transitional period of judgment that fills the interval between the rapture of the Church and the reign with Christ, but the figure used here is suitable for this time when Christ and the Church reign peacefully: “A river of living water, bursting like crystal, coming out of the throne of God and the Lamb. In the middle of his street, and of the river, from here and there, was the tree of life, bearing twelve times fruit, returning its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” The tree of life bears not only what the first produced, but now, according to the fullness of the provision of God’s grace to man, it first renders, for man in glory, its twelve fruits, and then what is also suitable for man on earth, a portion that gives the goodness of a God who manifests his kingdom. “And there will be no more curse; and the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in her; and his slaves will serve him.” The description of this scene ends with verset 5; after which come warnings until the end of the book.
In him there is every blessing; it is of himself that you will enjoy, even if you would not have had here on earth the full knowledge of all that he is. But at the same time that the Church says to Christ, “Come,” and invites those who believe to join her without fear in this call, she does not forget those who are poor sinners, either that they have the deep conviction of it, or that they experience only a desire produced by the grace of God, which is the weakest expression of the need of a sinner; just as we have also seen the weakest. expression of what a saint is in the one who hears. Thus the Lord finds a place for all that is the fruit of his own grace, – for the call of grace too, even if it is not answered. However, contempt for grace necessarily leads to judgment.
The book ends after a solemn warning to those who would add or subtract anything from its contents. “He who bears witness to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon. – Amen; come, Lord Jesus!” “Yes, I am coming soon”; that this is precious after such a long wait. After so many pains, trials, difficulties, dangers, that it is sweet to have such a word, spoken by the One who is the holy and the true, and who will certainly come in the fidelity of his love. He will not fail to accomplish what He has pledged to our hearts.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Paradise:
- Spiritual rivers, symbols of divine blessings
Ps 36:9 They are satiated with the abundance of your house, and you water them in the torrent of your delights. Ps 46:5 There is a river whose currents rejoice the city of God, the sanctuary of the dwellings of the Most High. Isa 48:18 Oh! if you were attentive to my commandments! Your well-being would be like a river, and your happiness like the waves of the sea; Ez 47:5 He measured another thousand cubits; it was a torrent that I could not cross, for the water was so deep that it was necessary to swim in it; it was a torrent that could not be crossed. Rev 22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, crystal clear, coming out of the throne of God and the lamb.
- Spiritual royalty, conditions of:
-Faithfulness Lk 22:28-29 You are those who have persevered with me in my trials; 29 that is why I have the kingdom in your favor, as my Father has disposed in my favor,
Patience 2 Tim 2:12-13 if we persevere, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He too will deny us; 13 if we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Spiritual purification Rev 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth! To him who loves us, who has delivered us from our sins by his blood, 6 and who has made us a kingdom, priests for God his Father, to him be glory and power, in the ages of ages! Amen!
Victory over Satan Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones; and those who sat there were given the power to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the witness of Jesus and because of the word of God, and of those who had not worshipped the beast or its image, and who had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands. They came back to life, and they ruled with Christ for a thousand years.
- Living witnesses
Mk 2:12 And just now he got up, took his bed, and went out in the presence of everyone, so that they were all in astonishment and glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like it. Mk 5:15 They came to Jesus, and they saw the demonic, the one who had had the legion, seated, clothed, and in his good sense; and they were seized with fright. John 9:8-9 His neighbors and those who had previously known him as a beggar said, “Is this not the one who sat down and begged?” 9 Some said: It is him. Others said: No, but he looks like him. And he himself said: It’s me. John 12:9 A great multitude of Jews learned that Jesus was in Bethany; and they came there, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, that he had risen from the dead. Acts 4:14 But as they saw near them the man who had been healed, they had nothing to answer.
- Son of David
Mt 1:1 Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham. Mk 10:48 Many took him back, to silence him; but he cried out much louder; Son of David, have mercy on me! Jn 7:42 Doesn’t Scripture say that it is from the seed of David, and from the village of Bethlehem, where David was, that Christ must come? Rom 1:3 and concerning his Son (born of the seed of David, according to the flesh, 2 Tim 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, from the seed of David, risen from the dead, according to my gospel, Rev 5:5 And one of the old men said to me: Do not weep; behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the offspring of David, defeated to open the book and its seven seals.
From all the above, we note that this incomparable name of Jesus, this name of his humanity, is reminded once again by Himself: “I Jesus”, I am “the Bright Star of the morning”, the One who comes. And we notice how similar the first and last pages of the Bible are: Scripture begins and ends with a paradise, a river, a tree of life… But, as someone wrote, the end is more beautiful than the beginning, the omega more grandiose than the alpha, the future paradise is not the old found, it is “the paradise of God” with the eternal presence of the Lamb who died for us. We are not waiting for an event but for someone we know and love. “Come”! To this desire, awakened by the Spirit, responds his promise: “I come soon”; then again the echo of the Bride’s affections: “Amen, come Lord Jesus.” For nous have been converted to serve Him: to invite those who are thirsty, those who want … and to wait for it. But the Lord knows that, for this as for that, we need all his grace. That is why the Spirit of God closes this book of judgment and the entire word of God on this promise of grace. It is the perfect and sufficient resource that will keep us “until He comes.” He’s coming, and it’s coming soon for us. May our hearts, free of hindrance, respond freely to “Amen” to his word of love and truth! May his grace be with all! May the Lord help us to probe it ever more deeply. And qu’He finds us at His return among those who keep His Word and who do not deny His Name. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and aver. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the parable of slave liberation. »
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.